watson



(No Model.)

J. E. WATSON.

METHOD OF OPERATING WITH ELECTRICAL GONDUCTORS. No. 371,531. Patented001;. 11, 1887.

WITNESSES INVENTOR v J07m Eda/Md ii ATTORNEY 1 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

JOHN E. WVATSON, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE INTER-NATIONAL ELECTRICAL COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

METHOD OF OPERATING WITH ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 371,531, dated October11, 1887.

Application filed April 11, 1887. Serial No. 234,372. (No model.)Patented in Belgium April 12, 1887, No. 77,046; in Spain May 26, 1887,Nos. 10,814 and 1,397, and in Italy June 30,1887, Nos. 21,589 and 439.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN EDWARD WATsoN, a citizen of the United States,resident at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State ofKentucky, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Methodsof Operating with'Electrieal Conductors, (for which I have obtainedLetters Patent No.7 7,0i6,dated April 12, 188. in Belgium; LettersPatent No. 21, 589 and No. 439, dated June 30, 1887, in Italy, andLetters Patent No. 10,814 and No. 1,397 dated May 26,1887,in Spain and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a diagrammatic representation illustratingthe method or process. Fig. 2 is also adiagram illustrating the processand indicating the circuits for the near and distant stations.

This invention has relation to an improvement upon the present methodsof communicating or signaling by electricity, and it is designed toinvolve not only those arts--such as telegraphy-in which the receivedsignals are apparent to the eye and ear, but also those in which thesignals are appreciable through sound alone. And while themore'important purposes of the inventionrcfer to the facilitation ofelectrical communication over lines of great length and resistance, itwill be found to offer material ad vantages when applied to short linesor circuits. The method is readily ap plicable to all or nearly allmodes of signaling in use, whether the Morse system, the printingmethod, the chemical recording, or the autographic be employed. It willalso be found serviceable in systems of automatic electric signaling, inthe distribution of time signals, 850., over lines of great length, andwherever it may be necessary or advisable to operate with weak or feeblecurrents its advantages will be apparent.

It is well known that the magnetism or magnetic force oftranslation,while strong near the pole or poles of a magnet orelectro-magnet, is at a distance from such pole or poles very feeble orweak; and the object of this invention is to utilize this feeble or weakinfluence, which is far less variable between two points at a certaindistance-from each other in its direction of action than is the strongforce near the pole between two points situated the same distance apart,or even nearer to each other. This distant influence I shall call, forthe purposes of this description, the poising-foree, and its scope,orthe limits within which it can be made available, the poising-field.This field is practically outside the limit of residual magnetism. Incarrying out this method of electrical signaling, apparatus is necessaryaccording to the line of application, whether it be employed infacilitating telegraphic or telephonic communication,galvanometry,theelectric regulation of ti inc-keepers, or any form of electric signalingor recording wherein rapidity, certainty, and delicacy of action arerequired, and it may readily be illustrated in its adaptation tofacilitate electrical communication over conductors, as inland andmarine telegraphy. To this end I employ, in addition to the main line orconductor, its battery, and key or transmitter, a relay having a localcircuit and battery and asounder or indicator; or the relay may itselfserve as the-indicator, recorder, or receiving-instrument, forit isdesigned, in the utilization of the features of this invention, toeffect, among other objects, Sllllplification of apparatus.

In the diagram, the letter L designates the main line'or conductor, and13 the main-line battery.

C is the key or transmitter, and D the relay, having an electro-magnet,E, and armature F, the latter being in or a part of the sounder orindicator circuit U.

H is the local circuit of the relay, having its battery K, and therelaymagnet is wound not only in the local circuit H, but also in themain-line circuit, in such a manner, however, that the local currentruns in the opposite direction to that of the main line. WVith thisobjectin view, the relay-magnet may be directly Wound in the localcircuit and reversely wound in the main line. But it is, however,preferred to wind the helices directly in both circuits and to run thecurrents therein in opposite directions. In this magnet the helix orhelices of the main line are formed of many turns of line wire,asindicated at m, while the helix or helices of the local circuit areformed of comparatively few turns of coarse wire, or wire ofcomparatively low resistance, as indicated at Z. The coarse wire isusually wound next the axis or core and the fine wire over the coarsewire; but the arrangement may be reversed, the coarse wire being woundto form the outer layers. In either event, however, the coarse-wirehelix, or helix of low resistance, is in communication with the poles ofthe local battery, and theiine wire, or helix of high resistance, is inconnection with the main line. These helices are properly insulated fromeach other by winding the wires with silk or other insulation in thecustomary manner.

F is the armature of the relay, which may be pivoted, hung, or otherwisearranged to have a movement in front of the pole or poles of theelectro'magnet'.

N is a rest-stop, and I a contact-stop,tl1e latter being in the sounderor indicator circuit U, and so arranged that when contact is madebetween the armature and the stop I the sounder orindicator circuitisclosed. In some apparatus, and cspeciallyin telephonic receivers,wherein the armature is a diaphragm, the armature itself is the sounderor indicator.

S represents a sprin weight, or other ten sion of the armature. Its owngravity will serve the purpose, if the armature and magnet are insuitably relative positions. In the case of a telephonic receiver thetension of the diaphragm is sufficient.

The method of operation is as follows: The local circuit being alwaysclosed,the magnetism thereof, acting through the lowresistance helicesof the relay upon its armature, which is located not so near themagnetic poles as to be within the limit of the strong and quicklyvarying influence thereof, but at a comparative distance therefromwithin the poisingfield of magnetism, serves to counterbalance or poisethe armature, or hold the same in a position of equilibrium. In thediagram, a coun terbalance spring or tension is indicated at S; but, asI have hereinbefore explained, this purpose may be served by the gravityof the armature itself or its inherent elasticity. The poising distancewill vary with the size of the wire forming the lowresistance coils onthe magnet and the strength of the current of the local circuit, and mayextend to one-eighth of an inch of the magnetic pole, and even closer.Or it may be found at a considerable distance therefrom. The armaturemay readily be brought to the position of equilibrium when within thepoising-field, the main line being open, by adjusting the magnet or thetension, or by introducing resistance in the local circuit or byadjusting the armature itself. The main circuit being closed the contactand rest stops, when these'are employed, are adjusted by suitableadjusting devices, as indicated at I and J, in proper position, and

the receiver is ready for communication. In the diagram the armature isshown in contact with the platinum-stop I of the sounder-circult. Now,it will be explained that when the main-line current is operating in thefine-wire or high-resistance helix of the relay its action is opposed tothat of the coarse-wire or lowresistance helix of said relay, and itseffect is to neutralize to a certain extent the magnetizing influence ofsaid low-resistance helix, thereby weakening the attractive power (orforce of translation) of the electro-magnet and allowing the armature tomove back to position of contact under the action of its spring ortension, closing the local sounder or indicator circuit. Intransmitting, the sendingkey or transmitter is opened, interrupting theflow of the main-line current in the high-rcsistance helix and allowingthe helix of the local circuit or low-resistance helix to regain at onceits full magnetizing power, whereby the armature is drawn forward to itsposition of equilibrium, or against the rubber stop N. \Vhen the key isclosed to make a signal, the main current, passing in the finc-wirehelix, at once destroys the equilibrium of the armature, and it isthrown back by its weightor tension to contact position, closing thelocal sounder orindicator-circuit. When, however, thekey is opened orraised to break circuitin the main line, the full magnetism of theelectro-magnet promptly asserts itself, drawing the armature from thecontact-stop and breaking the localsounder circuit. And it should befurther explained that, in the ease of a telephonic receiver, when thediaphragm is the armature and sounder and there are no contact and reststops, the state of counterpoise orequilibrium of the diaphragm involvesthe opposition of its own tension on the one hand and of the distance orpoising magnetic force on the other. For if the diaphragm be adjustednear the pole, orwithin thestrong and quickly-varying field ofmagnetism,the tension of said dia phragm would be so powerful that the hamperinginfluence of the feeble current of the main line in the electro-magnetwould be insufficient to. appreciably lessen the magnetic attractionthereon.

In this method it is designed to avoid nearly, if not completely, allretarding andinductive troubles of the main line. Even should such bepresent, and of sufficient electro-motive force to affect the fine-wirehelix, there would be no appreciable evil effect therefrom in thecoarse-wire helix, which is the chief magnetic element of the relay orreceiver.

In this method of operating it is designed to locate the armature in thepoisingfield of magnetism, which is at such a distance from the polesthat the effect of residual magnetism is reduced to a minimum, and maypractically be disregarded. In all the modes heretofore in use thearmature has been worked in the strong field of residual magnetism,where all the evils of induction have had full sway.

In winding the helices of the electro-magnet much latitude is allowable.I have obtained excellent results when using for the high resistancehelices some eighteen thousand turns of No. 37 wire of Birminghamwire-gage, and for the low resistance about two hundred and fifty turnsof No. 26 wire, same gage. A local battery of from one to two volts willserve an excellent purpose. Of course if the battery is stronger inproportion to the resistance of the low-resistance coils the point ofequilibrium of the armature will be farther from the poles of theelectro-magnet for the same degree of tension and the instrument will bemore delicate. Very little magnetic force is required to move thearmature when arranged at a distance from the poles in the mannerspecified. If the local battery is stronger, the distance of thearmature from the poles must be increased to obtain equilibrium. While abattery of double strength will not require that the armature-be set atdouble distance, yet the distance will be greater and the delicacy ofthe equipoise will be increased many times.

For railway-signaling the invention will be found to possess superioradvantages, because it is designed that the apparatus involved shall notbe liable to serious disturbance on account of rain or dampness. In thepractical operation of this method it will be apparent that it isintended to use currents of exceeding weakness, or of suchlow order thatno casual conduction, set up by atmospheric conditions or otherwise, candeflect them from their proper paths. In fact, it is believed that bythis mode of telegraphy railway-rails, fence-wires, and other extendingmetallic lines, originally intended for other and different purposes,can, with some modifications of connection, be utilized as conductors ofthe weak currents which I employ; for it should be borne in mind thatthe principle of this invention involves the use ofa weak current ofelectricity to oppose and limit the magnetizing influence of a closedlocal circuit, and thereby hamper the magnetism, acting upon an armatureat a distance from the magnetic pole, in contradistinction to theemployment of a strong current of electricity to produce at adistance amagnet which will attract an armature when placed close to the poles.

Having described, this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s

1. The method or process of telegraphy or electric signaling, whichconsists in, first, bringing to a position of equilibrium amechanically-counterpoised armature of anelectromagnet,involvingaconstantly-actingdirect local current, and asecond reversely-acting current in the main line, passing in coils oflow and high resistance, respectively, on a common softiron-core, and,secondly, operating said armature by said local current for itsattraction, and to make signal by a tension exterior to the circuits,butconditioned upon the action of the main-line current for its retraction,substantially as specified.

2. A system of electric signaling consisting of a local circuitincludinga magnet with lowresistance coils, and an armature poised bythe attraction of the magnet and an opposed tension, and a main-linecircuit includiugl1igh-reresistance coils superposed on the core of theaforesaid magnet, and passing the current reversely tothat in the localcircuit, whereby a current in the main line too weak to cause anattraction of the aforesaid armature will lessen the attraction of themagnet in said local circuit, and thus cause the tensile force topreponderate, substantially as specified.

3. In a system of electric signaling, the 7 method of producing motionof the armature of an electro-rnagnet counterpoised at a distance fromits poles, between the electromagnetic attraction set up by the coils oflow resistance on the core of said electro-magnet on the one hand andthe tension of the armature on the other hand, by passing a weakmainline current through high-resistance coils on the same core in thereverse direction to that of the current passing in the coils of lowresistance tolessen the magnetic attraction in response to action in themain line, and ceasing the action of said main line to allow theelectro-magnet to regain its maximum power of attraction, substantiallyas specified.

4. In an electromagnetic relay, the combination,with a magnet involvinga constantly acting direct current in local circuit, and a secondreversely-acting current in the main line,passing, respectively, incoils of low and high resistance on a common soft-iron core, of a poisedarmature in the indicator-circuit and its tension opposing theattractivepower of the magnet to eii'ect the counterpoise ofsaidarmature,whereby a current in the main line too weak to cause attractionof the armature will lessen the attraction of the magnet in thelocalcircuit and cause the tensile force to preponderate to retract thearmature to close the indicator-circuit, substantially as specified.

'5. A relay electro-magnet having an armature counterpoised by itstension opposing the electromagnetic attraction, and having on its corecoils of low resistance involved in a constantly-closed direct localcircuit energizing the same, and coils of high resistance,separate andinsulated from the low-resistance coils, energized by a main currentacting in the reverse direction in said coils to lessen the magnetizingeffect of the low-resistance coils and allow the tensile force topreponderate and t0 re'tractthe armature, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I itffiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. IVATSON.

Witnesses:

THEo. MUNG EN, PHILIP O. Mast.

IIO

Correction in Letters Patent No. 371,531.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in Letters PatentNo, 371,531,

granted October 11,1887, upon the application of John E. Watson, ofLouisville, Kentucky, for an improvement in the Method of Operating withElectrical Conductors,

was erroneously Written and printed The International ElectricalCompany, of same.

place; that said name should have been written and printed TheInternational Electric D Company, of same place; and that said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 25th day of October, A. D. 1887.

D. L. HAWKINS, Acting Seenetaiy of the Interim.

[SEAL] Oountersigned BENTON J. HALL,

Commissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in Letters PatentNo. 371,531,

granted October 11, 1887, upon the application of John E. Watson, ofLouisville, Kentucky, for an improvement in the Method of Operating withElectrical Conductors,

was erroneously Written and printed The International ElectricalCompany, of same.

place; that said name should have been written and printed TheInternational Electric Company, of same place; and that said LettersPatent should he read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 25th day of October, A. D. 1887.

D. L. HAWKINS, Acting Secretary of the Interior.

[SEAL.]

Oountersigned BENTON J. HALL,

Commissioner of. Patents.

